Chapter 13
Silas
Gravel crunched under my tires as I passed the Grisold Christmas Tree Farm sign. A faded W had been spray-painted in just after the S to change the name to Griswold, the famous holiday movie family. I was sure Noel just loved that.
On my left, a two-story house with a wraparound porch sat framed by evergreen trees. A barn stood a few hundred feet away, looking dormant now that the holiday season was over.
Rows upon rows of evergreen trees stretched out as far as the eye could see.
Even without glistening snow and twinkling lights, it was a beautiful location.
Linc and Darren were going to have a great rehearsal dinner here, but I couldn’t wait until Noel finished the renovations that would transform it into a full wedding destination.
I parked beside a classic Dodge Charger that Darren treasured. He threw open his driver’s door and got out, and Linc emerged from the passenger side. They both met me in front of my car.
“Ready to get this menu finalized?” I asked.
“Yep, but I know it’ll be great,” Linc said with a nervous smile. “I just can’t believe the wedding is coming up so soon.”
I smiled. “You guys have waited long enough.”
Darren slung an arm over Linc’s shoulders as we walked toward the barn where Noel had asked us to meet him.
“We had a lot on our plate,” he said. “Linc wanted to get through school. I wanted to make sure I didn’t run the auto shop into the ground.”
Linc laughed and slapped his chest. “Please. That shop is thriving.”
“When the Forrester Bros aren’t stealing my business,” he grumbled.
I tilted my head. “Forrester Bros?”
Linc rolled his eyes. “An auto shop in Riverton. They work on motorcycles too, so Laurie took his bike up there. But Darren doesn’t need more business. He already has too much work.”
“Wes and Beck broke down over Christmas and let those guys fix their pickup. Can you believe that?”
“Such a betrayal,” Linc said, clearly humoring him.
“Like a dagger in my heart,” Darren said, as dramatic as ever.
I laughed. I hadn’t known them well when they met, but the rumors got around. They’d kissed on a dare at a party. Darren had dated only women before that. But he’d fallen head over heels for Linc, and the rest was history.
Noel emerged from the open barn. “There you are! Come on in. I’ve got the tasting menu all laid out for you.”
Darren’s step quickened. Good thing Linc had him locked down because that man sure got excited about food. He’d devoured the samples Darling Dish Catering had set up for the wedding reception menu.
Noel’s operation wasn’t quite up to catering full receptions just yet, but he was great for a smaller, intimate gathering like a rehearsal dinner.
He led us through a store filled with Christmas kitsch that the family sold during the holiday season. He opened the door to a back room that held a table long enough to seat sixteen.
It was draped in rich red linens and covered in plates. They weren’t place settings. Not today. They were servings of every course he might offer at the dinner.
We’d agreed upon a draft menu already, but Noel was an experimental chef. He loved to get creative, and the guys had given him the green light to surprise them with a couple of extra options.
“Oh my god, there’s so much food here,” Linc said.
Noel gave an embarrassed chuckle. “Sorry. My imagination ran wild, and I wanted to change some things up. But of course I made your original selections, as well. I just couldn’t resist playing.”
“Hell yeah,” Darren said. “I’m game.”
Noel grinned. “Good. Take a seat. Let’s start with the salads.”
He slid a small bowl in front of Darren and Link. It looked like lettuce and…flowers?
“Um.” Linc stared at it. “It’s beautiful, but…”
“We eat this?” Darren asked.
Noel smiled. “They’re edible flowers. Along with blossoming pea shoots. I’ve made a vinaigrette to pair with it. But I realize this might be too far out on a limb for you guys. I just couldn’t resist how gorgeous it looks.”
Linc fingered one of the petals, then cautiously took a bite. “Hmm.” He nodded. “It’s really…flowery.”
Noel clucked his tongue. “All right, how about this then?” He slid another bowl forward. “Rainbow salad. This has a lot of colors and textures. Cabbage, celery, radish, and pops of flavor with the citrus.”
“This is perfect,” Linc said, forking up a bite. “I love the crunch.”
“A little less flowery?” Noel asked with a playful wink. He didn’t seem to mind that they’d shot down his flower mix. He’d probably expected it. But I was filing it away, because I was sure Caitlyn would absolutely adore it—and I needed a replacement rehearsal dinner.
The guys ate their way through delicate appetizers, hearty main course entrees and side items, and two different desserts—letting me be the tie-breaker when they couldn’t agree on what was better.
I was meeting Maverick and Jamie for lunch after this, but I wouldn’t have much room for food. Noel had spoiled us.
“Hey, Noel, can I grab a quick word with you while the guys finish up those delicious desserts?”
Noel had made bright lemon tarts and gorgeous tiramisu cups with swirls of espresso.
“Sure, what’s up?” he asked.
I led him out of the room, because it wasn’t fair to Darren and Linc that I chat about someone else’s wedding plans in front of them. This was a very special occasion, and I wanted them to enjoy every moment of it together.
“I’ve got a couple that just lost their venue for their rehearsal dinner. Grand View accidentally double-booked.”
“Oh, no. When is it?”
“Three weeks.”
He winced. “That’s…tight. I’ve got Darren and Linc in two. So that’d mean—”
I nodded. “But I am pretty sure my bride, Caitlyn, would love that flowery salad. You’ve got more recipes here than you need for one dinner.”
“True, but I won’t have a lot of time to reinvent anything if they don’t love the initial selections.”
“They’d understand you’d be doing us a huge favor,” I said. “Could they just come out and meet you? If you don’t like the vibe, we’ll understand. I really don’t want to disappoint them by settling for something less than great.”
Noel sighed. “I’m such a pushover.”
“Thank you!” I gave him a quick hug and kissed his cheek. “You are the absolute best.”
“Hey,” a deep voice rumbled from behind us. “Do I need to be jealous? That’s my man.”
I released Noel and turned to grin at Hopper. I’d met him around town, even tried to hook up with him once, but he was too oblivious to pick up on the flirtation. At least, I chose to believe that was the reason. Surely, it wasn’t because he wasn’t into me.
“Just a grateful wedding planner. Nothing to worry about.”
He chuckled and reeled Noel in for a proper kiss. Yikes. Those two would need to host their own wedding dinner soon.
I fanned my face. “I hope you’ll hire me when the time is right.”
Noel flashed wide eyes at me.
Hopper laughed. “Go hassle the wedding couple you’ve already got.”
I checked back in with Linc and Darren, and they made their final selections.
Then I headed into town, relieved to have a backup plan for Caitlyn and Branson.
I was pretty sure they’d go with any menu Noel presented if it got them a venue at the last minute.
Mama Kennedy might be a problem, though.
We’d have to keep her in the dark until the last minute.
I didn’t want Noel dealing with the fussing she’d done over the reception catering and cake.
I parked in front of Rainbow Garden, trying not to think about how close it was to the building where Bryson and his brother were opening their sporting goods store. There was no name on it yet, and I’d failed to ask him what it would be called.
A concern flitted through me that I had been too self-centered. I brushed it away. We’d had other things on our minds the night of our one date, and after that, I’d had other fish to fry.
Surely, Caitlyn had mentioned it at some point. Something with tents or rods? Damn it.
I pulled out my phone.
Silas:
What is the name of your store? I don’t want Branson to think I don’t remember.
There. That was proper subterfuge, right?
A reply popped in almost immediately.
Bryson:
Take a Hike.
I started to type out an apology when I stopped, realizing suddenly—
Bryson:
That’s the store name. I’m not telling you off.
Silas:
Obviously. I knew that.
Bryson:
It was between that and Pitching a Tent. But knowing people’s dirty minds…
Silas:
Dirty fits right in around here. Haven’t you been to Glazed Holes?
Bryson:
Well, the sign’s not up yet ;) Pretty sure Branson would have a coronary if he got back from his honeymoon to find I’d changed the name. Might be worth it just to see his face.
I laughed, raising my thumbs to tap out a response when a knock on my window startled me. I jerked my head up.
Iola’s forehead was pressed to the window as she peered in at me. “Silas! Hello in there!”
Her voice was muffled, but I heard well enough. I hurriedly tucked away my phone and opened the car door.
“Iola, hello. Can I help you with something?”
“Just checking in, sweetie. You haven’t been returning my calls.”
“Haven’t I?” I asked, trying to project innocence.
She tsked. “It’s my duty as a Matchmaking Mama to follow up on our matches. Bryson is just wonderful, isn’t he?”
“Um…” I couldn’t help feeling as if this were a trap. “Yes, he’s great.”
Iola beamed. “I knew it! I knew if you gave us a chance, we’d find you love.”
“Nobody said anything about love,” I said quickly.
Her smile fell. “Oh, Silas, tell me you didn’t shut him down. He was such a lovely man.”
My heart clenched. He was lovely, wasn’t he? But I wasn’t ready to broadcast that to the whole town.
“Iola, I may have been unfair about the matchmaking business. You know what you’re doing.
But, um, I’m taking it slow, okay? I’d appreciate it if you just gave me—and Bryson—some time to decide what we want.
” I smiled encouragingly. “Too much pushing might, uh, make everything fall apart. Do you understand what I’m saying? ”